Comfort Has Come!

Christmas is often associated with waiting. I can remember when I was younger waiting for Christmas because it was the year that I was certain that I would be getting the Nintendo Entertainment System full with two controllers and a laser gun. One of my friends had gotten one, and I wanted one so bad after playing at his house. I worked so hard to be good and drop hints to my parents about wanting this game system. When Christmas Eve rolled around, I could not sleep. I tossed and turn all night long. Finally about 4am, I snuck into the living room to check under the Christmas tree. To my delight, there it was! I was so excited! I ran back to my bedroom and counted the minutes down until I could unpack it and play my new Nintendo.

As we find ourselves in the Christmas season, is there anything that you are longing/waiting for? In the Gospel of Luke, we are introduced to two characters of the Christmas story that are not given much attention elsewhere. You will not find these characters in any nativity scene or on Christmas cards, but they are significant people in the story. These characters are a man named Simeon and a woman named Anna.

Both of these individuals were waiting on something during the first Christmas — they were waiting on comfort… and it came in a Person. In , the physician uses a specific Greek phrase that shows the anticipation these two had as they awaited the Messiah to come. The phrase literally means that they were “alert to His appearance, and ready to welcome Him.”

I would like to invite you to join me in as we take a look at these two people and how they experienced the comfort that they were longing and waiting for through the coming of Jesus the Christ, and how they can show us how comfort has come in Jesus Christ.

Luke 2:25–38 CSB

There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking forward to Israel’s consolation, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, he entered the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him up in his arms, praised God, and said, Now, Master, you can dismiss your servant in peace, as you promised. For my eyes have seen your salvation. You have prepared it in the presence of all peoples— a light for revelation to the Gentiles and glory to your people Israel. His father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and told his mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign that will be opposed— and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” There was also a prophetess, Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well along in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and was a widow for eighty-four years. She did not leave the temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers. At that very moment, she came up and began to thank God and to speak about him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

PRAYER

Simeon

As we look at this passage, we are first introduced to this guy named Simeon. We are told that Simeon was both “righteous and devout.” Righteous here refers to one who has kept the law well. This has to do with the outward dealings of his life. They seemed to fall in line with what God desired. Devout speaks of the inward workings of his life. This term means that he was cautious and careful in his relationship with the LORD and that he lived in awe of God.

Simeon seems to have a lot of things going for him. The question that arises in my mind is why is this guy craving comfort? Verse 25 tells us that he was “looking forward to Israel’s consolation.” The word ‘consolation’ can also be translated ‘comfort.’

Things weren’t going well for the nation of Israel at this time. They had not heard from God in many years (roughly 400 years). They had lost their political independence and were living in fear of the crafty and cruel, King Herod. Many were wondering if the Messiah was coming or if it was just a hoax.

Simeon had good reason for his anticipation for comfort. In verse 26, the Bible says that the Holy Spirit had revealed to Simeon that he would not die before setting eyes on the Messiah. How comforting is that news? To know that the Messiah was not just wishful thinking, but that your eyes would actually get to see it!

In verse 27, we see that the Holy Spirit guides (prompts, urges) Simeon to go to the Temple. I’m sure that he didn’t realize at that moment what the prompting was all about, but he obeyed. This is a good reminder to us that when the Holy Spirit tugs or prompts our hearts to do something, it would be in our best interest to obey. Simeon did, and because of his obedience, He got to see the Messiah.

Isn’t it interesting that the Holy Spirit prompted Simeon to go into the Temple at the exact time that Joseph and Mary would be there bringing Jesus? It is almost like God had all of this planned out from the beginning.

In verses 28-35, Simeon takes this Jesus into his arms and begins to praise God and prophesy. He praises God for being true to His word. This is a great way in which God comforts us — He keeps His word. says, “This is my comfort in my affliction: Your promise has given me life.” You can take God’s word to the bank and count on it. It will never fail. It will never fall short.

Psalm 119:50 CSB

This is my comfort in my affliction: Your promise has given me life.

It was for this reason that Simeon could say that he was ready now for this life to be over for him. He had completed all that God wanted him to do. He had seen God’s promises come true to him. He saw that God’s salvation to the whole world — not just Israel — had come in the person of Jesus.

Anna

In verses 36-38, we are introduced to this lady named Anna. We do not know a lot about this woman. We know that she was a widow. Either she was 84 years old or she’d been a widow for 84 years. Whatever the case, after her husband had died, she devoted herself to fasting and praying at the Temple. You could find her there morning and night.

We see that as Simeon is prophesying about what Jesus would do to Joseph and Mary, Anna comes up to bring encouragement to all who were gathered there. The Bible calls Anna a prophetess because God used her to speak out and share His truth with others. Anna was faithful to what God asked of her in the moment as she testified that the One that would bring all comfort… the One who would bring redemption to mankind had come.

Jesus Brings What We Need

When Jesus came on the scene, He was not just another precious baby boy. He was the One that brought the comfort that Simeon, Anna, and all were looking for. Earlier I asked was there anything that you are waiting on this Christmas. Maybe you are like Simeon or Anna and you feel lonely, empty, afraid, maxed out…

Do you need comfort? Do you need consoling? Do you need a fresh sense of God’s presence? Each of these things can only be found in Jesus.

How to experience comfort this Christmas

Become amazed again

When Joseph and Mary tried to process everything that was going on in this scene, the Bible says that they were amazed at what was going on (v 33).

We use the word “amazing” a lot in our speech these days, but there are truly few things that can inspire awe. Are you being amazed this Christmas, or are we too busy running around getting things done? Maybe we need to slow down some and take a look at the Christmas story from a different perspective. It is truly amazing… and it brings us the comfort we long for.

Become a mover

Simeon and Anna were movers. When the Holy Spirit prompted them to move, they didn’t sit still. As you read through the story of the first Christmas, you will notice that almost every person responded to the Holy Spirit’s leading…

Mary was ready to go forward with God’s planJoseph went with God’s plan when it was revealed to himThe shepherds went and saw JesusThe Magi left their lands to come see Jesus

When God prompts you to do something, that is the moment you need to do it. It could be that God is trying to move you out of the muck and mire to his comfort and peace. It may be that you need to come and trust Jesus as your Savior. It may mean that you need to hand over what you’ve been holding back from God. It might be that the Holy Spirit is prompting you to be more involved in serving people. Are you willing to move?

Become a messenger

Sometimes the comfort that we are looking for is in the message we are supposed to deliver to someone else. Simeon and Anna were looking for comfort in their older ages. They wanted to sense the presence, power, and peace of God. It came when they saw Jesus.

God used Simeon and Anna to be messengers of His grace… His hope… His consolation. When we respond to the gospel of Jesus Christ ourselves, God gives us a message to share with others.

Conclusion

The Christmas season should be one of great comfort. When Jesus came that first Christmas, He brought with Him the comfort that we are longing for. His comfort is greater than any game system or gadget that we will find on Amazon or anywhere else.

As you and I become amazed at the wonder that Christ came to us, it will cause us to move. And as we take our roles as messengers seriously, we’ll find ourselves in a position to point other to the Christ of Christmas and they can find what they have been longing for as well.

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